Precision and realism were key in recreating the iconic settings of the White House and Marine One
Reagan
Frame tackled some of the project’s most challenging and captivating aspects, delivering set extensions and CG reconstructions that demanded seamless collaboration between departments, technical creativity, and meticulous attention to detail.
Compositing
CG integration
Full CG
Set extension
Matte painting
Fx
Beauty
Clean up
Gfx
Screen insert
Keying
President Reagan's Villa
Reconstructing the villa was a precision-driven effort involving the 3D, matte painting, and compositing teams in constant collaboration. The entire exterior location, including the pool, was recreated using advanced CG and visual integration techniques to achieve a realistic and immersive result. Special attention was given to the pool caustics, which were refined with relighting techniques to reflect naturally on the characters and surrounding environment. This approach ensured a seamless blend of real and digital elements, enhancing the visual coherence of the entire scene.
Presidential Helicopter
The “Marine One” is more than just a helicopter—it’s an icon. Frame meticulously recreated it in CG, starting with the original model and pushing the limits of detail. Using the actual helicopter displayed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library as a reference, the team developed an extraordinarily detailed asset. Beyond the helicopter itself, effects such as the simulation of wind and the movement of grass caused by its passage in the White House garden were crafted using Houdini. This software provided the teams with complete control over dynamics, resulting in an organic and captivating outcome.
The White House
The scenes set around the White House required a detailed reconstruction of both the building and the surrounding vegetation. The lighting department played a pivotal role in recreating an atmosphere perfectly aligned with the natural light on set. Particular attention was given to the reconstruction of the East Room, one of the most significant technical challenges. This iconic press conference room of Ronald Reagan was recreated through a complex 2.5D workflow, combining 3D modeling and matte painting via camera projection. This technique’s precision ensured every historical detail was visually credible, maintaining the original room’s scale and depth.
Each stage of the project involved intense, coordinated collaboration between departments, from modeling to simulation to final compositing. Frame translated technical complexity into visuals that seamlessly integrate real and digital elements while enhancing the narrative power of every scene, creating a lasting visual impact.
Reagan – VFX breakdown
